A cold more often than not brings along that strong desire for sweet and sugary comfort. While the chicken noodle soup has always been considered the perfect cure, many more foods would do more harm than good in one’s recovery and worsen the feeling. A good diet can promote good health, and one that does not promote it will only increase inflammation, thicken mucus buildup, and aggravate symptoms such as sore throat and congestion. Getting to know what to eat as a sick person is just as much about getting to know what to avoid.
Sugar tops the list of possible culprits. Going excessive on sugar weakens the immune system, making it unable to repel attacks from foreign bodies. A set of scientific studies concluded that high sugar intake suppresses to a certain extent the white cell functions, which are the main defenders of one’s body against infections. Instead of helping your body battle the cold virus, you are making it an easy target for the virus instead! Set aside your soda and fruit juice for water, herbal tea with honey, or nourishing broths instead.
Dairy foods might be another set to consider. The cases of increased mucus production due to dairy consumption have been ambiguous. Many have claimed that after drinking milk or eating cheese or ice cream, the symptoms of congestion seem to grow. Fats contained in dairy can exacerbate mucus, thickening it and rendering it sticky. Accordingly, it becomes harder to clear any blockage in your chest and sinuses. However, the condition becomes worse with blockage in your nostrils and in your chest. Maybe you should cut back on dairy for a short time with a cold and see how your rescue spells develop.
On the other hand, go easy on the high-fat and processed foods. They put a lot of strain on digestion-fried foods, fast foods, and greasy snacks-get the body busy handling digestion and away from fighting the infection. The higher the fats, the higher the potency that gives rise to inflammation and that is what the body does not want when it is already attacking that cold with some inflammation. Keep away from the burger and fries; instead, give plain toast, rice, or steamed vegetables a go.
Plant-wonderland though these foods are for Vitamin C; they carry a high acid load that just irritates a sore throat. Tomatoes, oranges, and some spicy foods might cause discomfort that will make that raw, scratchy feeling in your throat worse. If a sore throat is your main symptom, perhaps it is better to go for gentler sources of Vitamin C such as bell peppers or broccoli, or have diluted versions of citrus fruits: warm water with honey.
Last but not least, although one might think that pursuing alcoholic drinks to “kill the germs” will be beneficial, it is among the worst things to do. Being a diuretic, alcohol causes dehydration, and maintaining hydration is key to thinning mucus and flushing out the virus. It can also set back the immune system and keep you awake, thus stopping you from getting needed sleep for rapid recovery. It is better to ban alcohol completely and bolster hydration throughout a sickness with water and clear fluids.
In this way, a cold is an indication that the body needs plenty of rest and support. By avoiding foods that may hinder your immune system, foods that promote inflammation, or foods that thicken mucus, you increase the chances of your body factory producing recovery as soon as possible. Hydrating fluids, lean proteins, and digestible fruits and vegetables should be your best friend while feeling under the weather.